Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Looking Forward To Possible Playoff Matchups

Playoffs?

Playoffs?

You're talking about playoffs?

How about getting INTO the playoffs first. It won't be easy for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They've lost Cody Grimm, Aqib Talib, Gerald McCoy and Quincy Black, all starters, from the defensive unit. But Raheem Morris says it's all about other players stepping up.

Everyone will have to step up the next two weeks. The Buccaneers have won eight games and they're at home against Detroit and Seattle. Here's a quick look at what could be the Bucs run to the playoffs.

The Detroit Lions and Ndamukong Suh

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

DETROIT - NOVEMBER 25: Ndamukong Suh #90 of the Detroit Lions celebrates a first quarter sack next to Kyle Vanden Bosch #93 while playing the New England Patriots on November 25, 2010 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Im

The Buccaneers are at home this Sunday against the Detroit Lions. The Lions are where the Bucs were last year, sitting on three wins but they won that soccer match against the Green Bay Packers last week, 7-3. Tampa fans probably considered this one an easy win earlier in the year but at this stage of the game, with all the Tampa injuries, it will hardly be easy.

All eyes will be on Ndamukong Suh, the player many Tampa fans wished the team had drafted but alas, Detroit didn't let him get that far.

Seattle Seahawks Offer Hope For A Win

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - DECEMBER 12: Brian Westbrook #20 of the San Francisco 49ers runs against the Seattle Seahawks during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on December 12, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Talk about a game the Buccaneers SHOULD win, Seattle was blown out last Sunday by the 49ers of all people, 40-21.

That kind of defensive performance has to have Josh Freeman and the offense licking their chops.

If all went well against Detroit, then this could and should be Tampa's magical 10th win of the season.

Season Finale At New Orleans

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 12: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints looks to throw the ball during the game against the St. Louis Rams at the Louisiana Superdome on December 12, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Can you imagine going to New Orleans and needing a victory?

It could turn out to be the scenario for the Bucs to get into the playoffs.

Can a patchwork defense hold up against Drew Brees and the high-powered Saints offense in the dome?

Probably not. But suppose, just suppose, the Saints pull an Indy and decide to sit all their starters in this game?

It's not out of the realm of possibility, which would open the door for the Bucs.

Wild Card Matchup: Buccaneers Face The Eagles and Michael Vick?

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles drops back to pass against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

IF and it is a mighty big "IF" the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were to get into the playoffs, they would be a wild card and the sixth seed in the NFC tournament. As the sixth seed, the Bucs would play the third seed and that could be the Philadelphia Eagles and Michael Vick.

How would the Bucs fair in Philadelphia, in the cold against the most improved player in the league?

Sounds like a good time, doesn't it?

The Atlanta Falcons Would Be Waiting

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 12: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

So just suppose, the stars aligned and somehow the Bucs got into the playoffs and somehow the Bucs actually managed to win a wild card playoff game.

The Atlanta Falcons would be waiting.

The Bucs, as the sixth seed, would go to Atlanta, the top seed in round two.

You know what that means.

Atlanta has had Tampa's number this season, albeit a close number as both meetings with the Falcons were hard-fought contests. But the Falcons made the plays when they needed to and the Bucs did not and that's the difference between an experienced team that is 11-2 and a hopeful team that is 8-5 with no playoff guarantees whatsoever.